How to Become a Maid

Maid Key Stats
Education 0-6 Months
Job Outlook 7%

Maids and housekeeping cleaners are professionals who are experienced in the upkeep of a variety of locations and establishments.

Maids may work for individual homes or larger establishments such as hospitals or hotels.

Individuals who want to become become a Maid or a housekeeper will need a combination of personal characteristics and basic training in order to enter this profession.

This career requires individuals to use their physical stamina in order to perform well in this profession.

Education Requirements to Become a Maid

Individuals who want to become a Maid do not need any formal education in order to enter this profession.

However, entry level Maids will need to gain on the job experience in order to perform their job duties.

In addition, individuals who want to become a Maid will benefit from having some innate personal characteristics to help them succeed in this profession.

Individuals who want to become a Maid do not need a formal education in order to enter this field.

However, they will need to learn their job and important aspects of this profession on the job.

Individuals can begin their career in this field by applying for an entry level position at a hotel, hospital or a business.

Once an individual gets hired by a company such as a hotel or hospital, they will be partnered up with a more experienced Maid or housekeeper.

They will receive hands on training through this pairing and as an individual gains experience and progresses in this trade, they will begin to receive more difficult work and responsibilities.

Some personal characteristics that will help individuals pursue opportunities in this field include being detail oriented to be able to provide a thorough service to their clients.

In addition, individuals must also have strong communication skills in order interact with their clients whether they work in an individual’s home or in a large building such as a hospital or hotels.

Maid Job Description

Maids may work in a variety of industries such as the hospitality industry, the healthcare industry or the client services industry.

A Maid’s specific job duties will depend on the type of establishment they provide upkeep for.

Typical establishments that hire Maids and housekeepers include the following:

  • Private homes
  • Hotels
  • Hospitals
  • Commercial establishments

As a whole, Maids will complete general cleaning tasks including vacuuming or sweeping floors and waxing, mopping and polishing floors using brooms, vacuums, mops and other cleaning supplies.

They are also responsible for cleaning rooms and living and work areas and empty the trash and properly dispose of it.

They will also clean and polish windows, dust and polish furniture and perform other light cleaning duties.
Maids who work in a personal home will also perform cleaning duties for bedrooms and living areas including making beds, cleaning bathrooms and clean kitchens including refrigerators, ovens and floors.

Individuals who work for hospitals or hotels will be delegated different duties to cover main areas such as the lobbies, public bathrooms and entrances.

Maids working in hotels will also be responsible for cleaning lodging areas where guests stay.

Maid Salary and Career Path

In 2012, the median salary for Maids was approximately $19,570 per year.

Exact wages will depend on a variety of things including the industry an individual works in.

For example, individuals who work for private, state or local hospitals can expect a median salary of approximately $22,840 per year while individuals who work in the accommodation and food services field can expect a median annual salary of approximately $19,010 per year.

The job outlook for Maids is projected to grow by 13 percent through the year 2022.

This growth is considered faster than average and is attributed to the demand for the services these professionals provide.

Much of this growth will also come from the demand coming from the health care industry which is expected to grow at a rapid pace.

Individuals who are interested in beginning a profession as a maid can expect the best job outlook in the healthcare industry.

It is also an industry that is easy to get into as the educational requirements are flexible.

Individuals who have some work experience have the best job opportunities although individuals who find an employer willing to train them will help them enter this profession.

BLSThe below information is based on the 2023 BLS national averages.

  • Annually
  • Monthly
  • Hourly

National Average Salary

$34,650
$24K
$28K
$34K
$37K
$45K
10%
25%
50%
75%
90%

Average Salary by State

StateAvg. Annual Salary
Alabama$25,740
Alaska$36,880
Arizona$34,770
Arkansas$27,840
California$43,570
Colorado$37,690
Connecticut$36,310
Delaware$30,500
District of Columbia$45,610
Florida$32,230
Georgia$28,570
Hawaii$49,460
Idaho$32,560
Illinois$37,110
Indiana$31,150
Iowa$31,440
Kansas$29,170
Kentucky$28,310
Louisiana$25,440
Maine$36,000
Maryland$33,150
Massachusetts$41,700
Michigan$32,310
Minnesota$36,150
Mississippi$23,920
Missouri$30,880
Montana$32,400
Nebraska$30,100
Nevada$40,440
New Hampshire$35,020
New Jersey$36,540
New Mexico$30,330
New York$46,610
North Carolina$30,470
North Dakota$32,060
Ohio$29,940
Oklahoma$26,470
Oregon$36,300
Pennsylvania$32,340
Rhode Island$35,660
South Carolina$28,680
South Dakota$29,960
Tennessee$29,880
Texas$28,770
Utah$34,050
Vermont$36,820
Virginia$31,180
Washington$39,310
West Virginia$27,180
Wisconsin$32,720
Wyoming$32,720
Guam$21,360
Puerto Rico$21,920
Virgin Islands$31,020

The top earning state in the field is Hawaii, where the average salary is $49,460.

These are the top 5 highest-paying states in the field:

Hawaii - $49,460
New York - $46,610
District of Columbia - $45,610
California - $43,570
Massachusetts - $41,700
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners, OCC Code 37-2012, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a maid do?

Maids perform cleaning services for an individual, a family or business.

They clean showers, toilets, floors, kitchen counters, mirrors, ovens, refrigerators, and similar surfaces or appliances using cleansing agents.

Depending on their place of employment, their job duties may also include dusting and polishing furniture, making beds and changing linens, vacuuming carpets and rugs, ironing clothes, emptying trash, monitoring cleaning supplies and ordering more supplies as needed.

Maids usually work for a cleaning company, a hotel, hospital or clinic or are self-employed.

Maids need a variety of skills, including attention to detail, patience, physical strength, and communication skills.

Work schedule depends on the employer and the place of employment; for example, if you work in an office building you may have to work during evenings or early mornings when the building is empty.

Some establishments, such as hospitals and hotels need 24-hour maintenance and maids who work in these places usually work in shifts.

Maids need attention to detail, dexterity and physical strength and they must follow safety and sanitation procedures when using cleansing products or appliances.

How much does a maid make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for maids and housekeeping cleaners was $23,770 as of May 2018.

Salaries in this field vary between less than $20,000 and more than $35,000 a year.

How much a maid makes depends on his or her place of employment and level of experience.

How much does it cost to become a maid?

Maids need basic housekeeping experience but exact requirements vary depending on the employer.

There are no formal educational requirements but many employers require a high school diploma.

If you want to have better chances of being promoted to a management position, you should consider getting an associate’s degree.

An associate’s degree in business can cost you anywhere between $6,000 and more than $25,000 in total.

Although it is not a requirement, a certification from a credentialing institution such as the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) or the International Sanitary Supply Association may help you find a better paying job.

What is the demand for maids?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment for janitors and building cleaners is expected to grow 7 percent from 2018 to 2028.

As more companies outsource their cleaning services, more professional cleaning companies are expected to appear and this will create additional job opportunities for maids.

However, job demand depends on the region and the local economy.

Having a few years of experience can give you an advantage.

How long does it take to become a maid?

There are no formal educational requirements, but a high school diploma may be required by some employers.

Also, seeking certification from a credentialing institution may demonstrate your skills to future employers.

As a new employee, you will also receive some on-the-job training; during this period you will learn the skills needed to perform this job from an experienced maid.

Jamie Willis
Career Specialist at BecomeopediaHi, my name is Jamie Willis, and I have been helping students find their perfect internships and education paths for the last ten years. It is a passion of mine, and there really is nothing better than seeing students of mine succeed with further studies.

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